Digital Fortress | Themes

Digital Fortress Themes

National Security vs. An Individual's Right to Privacy

The main theme of this novel deals with the controversial issue of national security and an individual's right to privacy. Susan Fletcher works as a cryptographer for the NSA, a government organization responsible for intercepting intelligence and protecting the citizens of the United States. Susan believes that she works for an organization that has the country's best interests at heart. She does not believe that the NSA would ever use its power against the American people. Susan agrees with her boss, Commander Trevor Strathmore, that the NSA should be permitted total access to all communication in order to protect the country from terrorist attacks.

Susan's colleague and former NSA employee, Ensei Tankado, vehemently disagreed. Tankado had worked on the NSA's top-secret decryption computer, TRANSLTR. When Tankado discovered that TRANSLTR would be used to access the email of private citizens, he was infuriated. He quit his job and threatened to expose...
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